Alabama's Gov. Bob Riley visiting President Obama for energy meeting

MONTGOMERY, Ala. --
Gov. Bob Riley says federal energy legislation seems almost dedicated
to punish states with high coal usage, like Alabama. He says "cap and
trade" legislation should give states like Alabama credit for their
hydroelectric and nuclear power generation.

Riley made the
comments Wednesday morning before leaving for Washington for a meeting
with President Obama and other governors to discuss energy issues.

Riley
is among a bipartisan group of governors invited to the meeting. The
Republican governor said he appreciates the Democratic president having
regular meetings with small groups of governors to discuss issues.

Riley
will also meet with Secretary of Education Arne Duncan to discuss
charter schools. Riley is trying to get the Legislature to legalize
charter schools in Alabama.